A Monday I will never forget...

It is only 7:11 pm here in Port Shepstone, but it feels like midnight. This day has been incredible for so many reasons, I'm not even sure where to start.

We began our day with a ride up the mountain to Khula to see the little ones and I'm certain my heart is still there! The children were so precious and the teachers were fantastic! We did some music, bubble play, more music, station play, and ended the morning with a school wide game of duck duck goose. For all you Oak Parkers, Jim Gill is one of their favorite singers! Lol. Their favorite song was Hands are for Clapping! If you see Jim out and about, please tell him I went all the way to Africa and found him there!

It is extremely important for you who are reading to know that these toddlers walk to their school BY THEMSELVES, at least a mile or two! Did you hear me on that? These children are walking to school BY THEMSELVES! We also had the pleasure of helping serve breakfast...a high protein porridge that may be their only meal of the day! And despite all of these things that we as Americans cannot wrap our heads around, they are the most joyful children!! Pure, loving joy absolutely pours from them. Seriously....my heart is still there.

We also had the pleasure of meeting the lady who donated her property for the school. She lives in a small hut close by and is a delight. We caught her in the middle of making baskets while sitting on her dirt floor...a floor she is so proud of! She makes the most beautiful baskets and mats! And when we asked her how old she was, she said she did not know. Love her!!

We said our goodbyes to the children and headed to a beautiful spot in the mountains to have lunch. I'll include some pictures!

And then it was off to Murchison where we met the older kids of this particular neighborhood...far from the area of Khula. We...and I use that term loosely...played basketball and kickball outside. Haha. The children there are all so sweet and they were totally enthralled with my hair. One girl said to me "it is brown but also white". I'm hoping she was referring to my blonde highlights and not any grays! Haha. I was just getting the hang of a new hand clapping game when we once again had to say goodbye. But just for the day :)

We ended our evening with Pastor Mashiyane at his local bible study group. We heard some beautiful testimonies of faith and the desires of the participants to know Christ more and share His love with others in their families and communities!

As I end this post, my head is spinning. Oh my goodness, it's only Monday!! So much work here to help with but it doesn't feel like work at all! The relationships we are building and the experiences we are having are no doubt changing who we are as Christ followers and agents of change in our own communities back home. Please pray for our re-entry back into the states. We have several more days before our return, but I hope this feeling NEVER goes away. I do not want to come home and get sucked back into the daily grind. Its important that this work continues at home!!!

And now that you've patiently read through this novel I just composed, you shall now be rewarded with pictures!! Goodnight!!